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Complete Schedule of Operations For 2026 |
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Complete Schedule of Operations For 2026 |
This calendar may be subject to change. Events may be added, deleted or changed as the year progresses. Before attending any event listed here, contact Greg Smith, Director of Operations, at 217-840-1678, or through email to operations@ciarocketry.org
| Calendar Update In Progress |
| The calendar is currently being updated, thus some dates or details may be incorrect. Check back soon for the complete, correct schedule. |
| Color Codes for Calendar Items |
| Membership Meeting at the Springer Cultural Center |
| Monthly business meeting |
| Model rocket launch at Dodds Park |
| High power rocket launch in Rantoul |
| High power rocket launch in Forsyth |
| Special event |
| Education and Outreach |
| Currently unused |
| January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
| January 2026 | ||||
| January | Thursday 1 | New Year Rocket Launch |
11 am - 6 pm | Dodds Park |
| January | Tuesday 6 | Membership Meeting Meeting Topic: Rocket Media Bring book, videos, etc. to share. |
7 - 9 pm | Springer Center |
| January | Saturday 10 | Rocket Launch |
11 am - 6 pm | Dodds Park |
| January | Tuesday 20 | Business Meeting | 7 - 9 pm | TBA |
| January | Saturday 24 | Rocket Launch |
11 am - 6 pm | Dodds Park |
| January | Saturday 31 | Rocket Launch |
11 am - 6 pm | Dodds Park |
| February 2026 | ||||
| February | Tuesday 3 | Membership Meeting Meeting Topic: Forum on rocket design, construction and repair methods. |
7 - 9 pm | Springer Center |
| February | Saturday 14 | Rocket Launch |
11 am - 6 pm | Dodds Park |
| February | Tuesday 17 | Business Meeting | 7 - 9 pm | TBA |
| February | Saturday 21 | NARCON NARCON The National Association of Rocketry's National Convention This year's NARCON will be a virtual event. |
Online | |
| February | Saturday 21 |
Insect Fear Film Festival Check back for theme and verified date |
7 pm | Foellinger Auditorium |
| February | Saturday 28 | Rocket Launch |
11 am - 6 pm | Dodds Park |
| March 2026 | ||||
| March | Tuesday 3 | Membership Meeting Annual membership meeting and election of club officers. Meeting Topic: Recovery Systems & Dual Deployment "How To" |
7 - 9 pm | Springer Center |
| March | Saturday 14 | High Power Rocket Launch 10,000 MSL waiver. Contact Greg Smith, at operations@ciarocketry.org if you plan to fly motors of "L" impulse or greater. Rain date: Sunday, March 15 |
Noon - 6 pm | Forsyth Launch Site |
| March | Tuesday 17 | Business Meeting | 7 - 9 pm | TBA |
| March | Saturday 28 | High Power Rocket Launch 10,000 MSL waiver. Contact Greg Smith, at operations@ciarocketry.org if you plan to fly motors of "L" impulse or greater. Rain date: Sunday, March 29 |
Noon - 6 pm | Forsyth Launch Site |
| April 2026 | ||||
| April | Tuesday 7 | Membership Meeting Meeting Topic: Rocket Photography |
7 - 9 pm | Springer Center |
| April | Saturday 11 | High Power Rocket Launch 10,000 MSL waiver. Contact Greg Smith, at operations@ciarocketry.org if you plan to fly motors of "L" impulse or greater. |
Noon - 6 pm | Forsyth Launch Site |
| April | 16 - 19 | LDRS 44
Tripoli's Big Annual Rocket Launch hosted this year by Indiana Rocketry |
Pence, IN | |
| April | Tuesday 21 | Business Meeting | 7 - 9 pm | TBA |
| April | Saturday 25 | High Power Rocket Launch 10,000 MSL waiver. Contact Greg Smith, at operations@ciarocketry.org if you plan to fly motors of "L" impulse or greater. |
Noon - 6 pm | Forsyth Launch Site |
| May 2026 | ||||
| May | Tuesday 5 | Membership Meeting Meeting Topic: Introduction to model rocketry for new members and anyone who is interested. New board members take office. Note: This meeting is being held at the Martens Center. Not at the Springer Center. |
7 - 9 pm | Martens Center |
| May | Saturday 9 | Build & Fly Workshop Fee $36, call 398-2550 to register. |
9 - 11 am | Leonhard Center |
| May | Saturday 9 | Rocket Launch |
Noon - 6 pm | Dodds Park |
| May | Tuesday 19 | Business Meeting | 7 - 9 pm | TBA |
| May | 23 - 26 | National Sport Launch East National Sport Launch East | Geneseo, NY | |
| May | Saturday 23 | Rocket Launch |
Noon - 6 pm | Dodds Park |
| May | Saturday 30 | Rocket Launch |
Noon - 6 pm | Dodds Park |
| June 2026 | ||||
| June | Tuesday 2 | Membership Meeting Meeting Topic: GARLO Prep |
7 - 9 pm | Springer Center |
| June | Saturday 13 | Rocket Launch | Noon - 6 pm | Dodds Park |
| June | Tuesday 16 | Business Meeting | 7 - 9 pm | TBA |
| June | Saturday 27 | GARLO 2026 Theme: Mars! All-day rocket launch, followed by an awards ceremony/potluck cookout. Rain date: Saturday, July 11 |
10 am - 4 pm (Set up 9 am) |
Dodds Park |
| June | 28 - July 2 |
NARAM National Association of Rocketry Annual Meet |
Muncie, IN | |
| Calendar Updated To Here | ||||
| July 2025 | ||||
| July | Tuesday 1 | Membership Meeting Meeting Topic: GARLO Wrapup |
7 - 9 pm | Springer Center |
| July | Friday 11 | The CIA will assist the students of the
Aerospace EAGER Camp at the University
of Illinois in flying their rockets (set up starting at noon) |
1 - 4 pm | Dodds Park |
| July | Saturday 12 | Rocket Launch |
Noon - 6 pm | Dodds Park |
| July | Monday 14 | The CIA will assist the students of the Illinois Aerospace Institute (Session 2) at the University of Illinois in building rockets | 7 - 9 pm | Siebel Sunset Studio, 1050 Siebel Center for Design |
| July | Tuesday 15 | Business Meeting | 7 - 9 pm | TBA |
| July | Friday 18 | The CIA will assist the students of the
Illinois Aerospace Institute (Session 2)
at the University of Illinois in flying their rockets (set up starting at noon) |
1 - 4 pm | Colbert Park in Savoy |
| July | Saturday 26 | Rocket Launch | Noon - 6 pm | Dodds Park |
| August 2025 | ||||
| August | Tuesday 5 | Membership Meeting Meeting Topic: Introduction to Medium and High Power Rocketry |
7 - 9 pm | Springer Center |
| August | Saturday 16 | Rocket Launch Note: This launch was moved from August 9 due to schedule conflicts. |
Noon - 6 pm | Dodds Park |
| August | Tuesday 19 | Business Meeting | 7 - 9 pm | TBA |
| August | Saturday 30 | Rocket Launch | Noon - 6 pm | Dodds Park |
| September 2025 | ||||
| September | Tuesday 2 | Membership Meeting Meeting Topic: Rocketry Electronics |
7 - 9 pm | Springer Center |
| September | Saturday 13 | Rocket Launch Followed by night launching of rockets equipped with lights, beepers, etc. |
Noon - Dark | Dodds Park |
| September | Tuesday 16 | Business Meeting | 7 - 9 pm | TBA |
| September | Saturday 27 | Rocket Launch |
Noon - 6 pm | Dodds Park |
| October 2025 | ||||
| October | Tuesday 7 | Membership Meeting Meeting Topic: Our annual swap meet. Bring your surplus rocket related equipment and supplies to buy, sell and trade with other members. |
7 - 9 pm | Springer Center |
| October | Saturday 11 | Rocket Launch Note: This launch has been moved to Dodds Park from the Rantoul site. |
Noon - 6 pm | Dodds Park |
| October | Tuesday 21 | Business Meeting | 7 - 9 pm | TBA |
| October | Saturday 25 | Rocket Launch Note: This launch has been moved to Dodds Park from the Rantoul site. |
Noon - 6 pm | Dodds Park |
| November 2025 | ||||
| November | Tuesday 4 | Membership Meeting Meeting Topic: Rocketry Software (OpenRocket, RockSim, etc.) |
7 - 9 pm | Springer Center |
| November | 7-9 | Midwest Power launch near Princeton, IL sponsored by Quad Cities Rocketry Society | 9 am - 5 pm | Princeton |
| November | Saturday 15 | High Power Rocket Launch 10,000 MSL waiver. Contact Greg Smith, at operations@ciarocketry.org if you plan to fly motors of "L" impulse or greater. Rain date Sunday 11/16. Note: This launch was moved from November 8 in order to not conflict with the Midwest Power launch. |
11 am - 6 pm | Forsyth Launch Site |
| November | Tuesday 18 | Business Meeting | 7 - 9 pm | TBA |
| November | Saturday 22 | High Power Rocket Launch 10,000 MSL waiver. Contact Greg Smith, at operations@ciarocketry.org if you plan to fly motors of "L" impulse or greater. Rain date Sunday 11/23. |
11 am - 6 pm | Forsyth Launch Site |
| November | Saturday 29 | High Power Rocket Launch 10,000 MSL waiver. Contact Greg Smith, at operations@ciarocketry.org if you plan to fly motors of "L" impulse or greater. Rain date Sunday 11/30. |
11 am - 6 pm | Forsyth Launch Site |
| December 2025 | ||||
| December | Tuesday 2 | Membership Meeting Meeting Topic: Annual Wrapup, Rocket nostalgia and "Tall Tales". Bring stories and artifacts to share. |
7 - 9 pm | Springer Center |
| December | Saturday 13 | Rocket Launch | 11 am - 6 pm | Dodds Park |
| December | Tuesday 16 | Business Meeting | 7 - 9 pm | TBA |
| December | Saturday 27 | Rocket Launch | 11 am - 6 pm | Dodds Park |
| January 2026 | ||||
| January | Thursday 1 | New Year's Rocket Launch | 11 am - 6 pm | Dodds Park |